Spartans score five in the fog at Cove

Posted on Wednesday, July 17th, 2024

Douglas Samuel’s Spartans got back to winning ways in their Premier Sports Cup Group E campaign – and in some style – with a 0-5 win on the road against League 1 side Cove Rangers.

Ahead of kick-off, both sides joined in a minute’s applause in memory of longtime Cove Rangers supporter Diane Adams. 

The game got underway as the sweeping fog covered the ground, making visibility poor for anyone keen to monitor play at the other end of the park.

Closer to your scribe was Cammy Russell who raced into the box in the 17th minute and was upended. A penalty kick awarded and up stepped Blair Henderson to get off the mark competitively this season.

It was almost a second for Henderson when Jamie Dishington’s cross found the hitman’s head. But for a defender scrambling at the far post, it may have been a brace for the striker.

Spartans did get that second goal of the evening following a telling run by Cammy Russell who managed to turn the ball into the six yard box, only for the outstretched toe of defender Gillingham to poke it beyond his own keeper.

James Craigen decided to have a pop from 25 yards to test the keeper’s visibility however the stopper was able to gather and ensure his side didn’t concede a third before the break. 

HT Cove Rangers 0-2 The Spartans 

There were just eight minutes on the second half clock before Cammy Russell whizzed past his marker. A low cross into the heart of the penalty area saw Blair Henderson slide in but in the process of colliding with the keeper, the ball squirted out into the path of Jamie Dishington who tucked it into the empty net.

Spartans made the first of their changes with Danny Denholm and Brogan Walls replacing the industrious Blair Henderson & Bradley Whyte. 

Midway through the half and a strike of sublime quality by Cammy Russell saw the ball come out of the fog and fly past the keeper into top bins to further extend the lead.

With ten minutes left, Under 20s midfielder Archie Wylie replaced James Craigen.

Moments later, it was five. That man Cammy Russell the architect after he was chopped down in the footrace to goal. From the resultant free-kick, he sent it over the wall and it was bulging the net before the keeper had the chance to make his move. 

Further changes were made late on with Niall Geany and Chris Inglis swapping berths with Watson and Henderson. 

FT: Cove Rangers 0-5 The Spartans

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Cammy Russell